Maitan has a really bad year and gained weight very quickly moving him off SS. This sucks for him as he’s no longer considered a huge prospect. Still well regarded but isn’t the sure bet he was a year ago.

Balelo’s (Ohtani's agent) memo asks for a team to evaluate Ohtani’s talent as a pitcher and as a hitter; to explain its player development, medical training and player performance philosophies and facilities; to describe its minor league and spring training facilities; to detail resources for Ohtani’s cultural assimilation into the team’s city; to demonstrate a vision for how Ohtani could integrate into the team’s organization; and to tell Ohtani why the team is a desirable place to play.

I think the Blue Jays will be in the conversation but he’ll ultimately go to the Yankees, Mariners, or Dodgers. Those teams have the history with Japanese players, notoriety in Japan, and Canada will probably be a deterrent.

The Yankees are perfectly situated to get him. Aside from the clear present and future financial advantage, they have Tanaka, a wealth of young players, history, recent team success, and the city of New York means a lot to Japan.

Koehler makes sense since I think his qualifying offer was pretty big. I liked Goins but am sick of seeing him in a Blue Jays uniform. Him being way better than Morales with RISP was hilariously frustrating, though.

I really like the trade for Diaz, the Jays basically gave up nothing for a middle inf who is a year removed from a 2.7 WAR season and is not eligible for arbitration until 2020. Even if Diaz reverts to last season's form he is still probably better than Goins in a bench role.

A lot needs to go right for the Jays to be successful next season. It’s really easy for front offices to put the blinders on so I hope that they insulate the team with lots of bench talent and jettison Morales.

AGENT ZERO wrote:I really like the trade for Diaz, the Jays basically gave up nothing for a middle inf who is a year removed from a 2.7 WAR season and is not eligible for arbitration until 2020. Even if Diaz reverts to last season's form he is still probably better than Goins in a bench role.

Yeah, great buy low imo. JB Woodman seems like a pretty fringey prospect with his numbers so far.